Phoenix Gold Phorum

I was reading about setting gains with the DMM and it workes well with the RSD comps, but I think I am not doing it right with the subs.

I have a RSDC 12 2 bridged onto a XS 2500 amp. The Coils were wired in Series wich makes it a 4ohms speaker I believe. Then I plug it into the formula.

XS 2500 is 500w X 1 into4ohms bridged so.....

500 X 4 = 2,000 then sqrt = 44.72V

Using a test tone I have all EQ flat and no crossover on. I set it exactly at 44.72V . HU is alpine and its @ 32 out of 35. I set the PLD1 so it has 3V exactly going into the XS.

Then I listen to my system after hooking it all back up and I feel like my subs are not half as loud as they were.

WTF ?

Am I doing somthing wrong here?




Joseph

I've noticed this same exact thing on the same exact woofer when I tried gain setting with my DMM years ago. I ended up just tuning it by ear. Now I have an oscilloscope that does a MUCH better job of setting my gains for no clipping.

I assume this is because the XS2500 is underrated on its specs ?

meters are not made for tuning. It can work the same way a flat-head screw driver can work as a chisel but with about the same results - unacurate and it might be close, it might not. Trust your ears and you will be fine or get a scope if you plan on doing a lot of tuning. You can get them for as little as $70 now.

I've had this experience as well, but I realized I never actually listen to my stereo at 3/4 volume (like is usually suggested to perform the DMM method), so I set the headunit volume to 20 out of 35 which is more in line with my actual listening habits and then reset the amp gains using the DMM method. This way I get more amp output earlier on the volume range.

(Revised to make it less spinal tappy)

Uhhhh, what? Are we having a spinal tap moment or what?

This is why I set my gains with the LPL turned down, and then turn it up for music. You are probably used to overly high gains, which would clip if you played test tones at full volume, but sounds great on music at 75% volume. I'm sure if you played a test tone at full volume with the gains as they are now, you would get the sub moving like you are used to.